NZ PM Jacinda Ardern Has Announced A National Ban On Military Style Firearms

New Zealand's ban includes interim measures to prevent a run on such guns before legislation is enacted, and outlawing weapons already in private possession. Moving forward, no one will be able to buy the firearms without a permit from the police.

"I genuinely don't know if it's necessary or if this is just a reaction", she said.

The country will also ban assault rifles, high capacity magazines, and certain modification parts, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Thursday.

By taking on the country's gun lobby, Ardern has now turned into an unwitting source of envy for Americans who have tried, with no success, to tighten gun laws following every mass shooting incident in the US.

'I want to reassure you again that we absolutely recognise how vital the return of your loved ones is'.

Simon Bridges, leader of the opposition National Party, embraced the ban, pledging to "work constructively" with the government.

In a press release, the New Zealand government said the ban means an estimated 13,500 weapons legally owned yesterday will be illegal tomorrow. "That is a landmark for this process".

In the immediate aftermath of last Friday's shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, Ardern labelled the attack as terrorism and said New Zealand's gun laws would change.

He received martyrdom along with his 21-year-old son Talha in the Christchurch attacks when a self-confessed white supremacist Brenton Tarrant opened fire during Friday prayers, killing at least 50 and leaving two dozen others injured.

Page said the police error won't affect the legality of Tarrant's prosecution.

Policemen take off their caps as a hearse carrying a victim of the mosque attacks drives past during a burial ceremony at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Christchurch Thursday.

New Zealand's citizens should make arrangements to turn in weapons banned under the new laws, Ardern told the nation in a live television announcement.

New Zealand women were also being encouraged to wear headscarves as a gesture of solidarity with Muslims on Friday, the Muslim holy day.

Imam Gamal Fouda said he is expecting 3,000 to 4,000 people at the prayer service, including many who have come from overseas.

The Christchurch shootings were carried out using an AR-15, the same gun that was used in a massacre that killed 35 people in Port Arthur, Australia in 1996.

Workers at the Al Noor mosque have been working feverishly to fix the destruction from the attacks, said imam Gamal Fouda.

He called it surreal to see the mosque where he used to pray surrounded by flowers.